Roosters Announce 2013 Captain & Vice-captains

Minichiello, who joined the Roosters in 1997 and made his first grade debut with the club in 2000, has played 251 games with the foundation club and forged an outstanding reputation on and off the field for his tireless work ethic.

"I'm so proud to represent the Roosters. To be named captain of the club I love so much means the absolute world to me," Minichiello said.

"The Roosters are a club renowned for their tradition and history, and to look at names like Fittler, Messenger and Beetson, to join that list is an incredible honour.

"There's a great young talented squad here and the club has a bright future. To have the chance to lead us in our premiership campaign is a role I'm ready for and will never take for granted. This is definitely one of the biggest highlights of my career so far."

Roosters Head Coach, Trent Robinson, described Minichiello as the ideal candidate to lead the club on and off the field.

"Anthony is to be commended for his attitude to life and to training. He trains hard and is respected by the players," Robinson said.

"Mini goes above and beyond the call of duty, leads by example and his attitude rubs off on the younger players. He typifies what we want to be as a football club and where we are headed."

"There are a number of players in the team who lead - whether it by their leadership on field, at training or away from the footy field, and in appointing four vice captains, we are recognising members of our senior group identified for their natural leadership while looking ahead to their future and nurturing their development," said Robinson.

"Captaincy can be a demanding role, and while Anthony will lead from the front, having more than one leader is an advantage for the club as a whole.

"Mitchell, Jake, Jared and Boyd are leaders in their own right and will act in supporting roles to Mini on and off the field.

"In today's game, our players are competing at such a young age and it is important that we have leaders who are respected for the way they conduct themselves in all facets of club life."